Short review
The modified course for 2024 was pretty popular. We've certified the new course, so we'll be starting behind the pavilion this year again. Looking forward to seeing you in 2025!
We’ve all heard of Punxsutawney Phil, the little furry guy in Pennsylvania who comes out, sees his shadow, and declares six more weeks of winter. Then there’s Augustus T. Groundhog, better known as Grand Rapids Gus. He’s Phil’s much more interesting cousin. Unlike Phil, who it seems can only see shadows, Gus has much better eyesight and can look at a calendar on February 2 and know that spring doesn’t start for six weeks. Gus suggested that instead of lamenting over six more weeks of winter, we should EMBRACE the cold and snow and do something fun. And so, the Groundhog Day Marathon was born.
EARLY START--If you're planning to be running more than about 6 hours, please start at the 7:00 am early start. The normal start is at 8:00 am
The Basics
It’s a winter running event, outside Grand Rapids Michigan. YES! THERE WILL PROBABLY BE LOTS OF SNOW ON THE COURSE.
The Friday and Saturday beginning of February. In 2025, it's February 7-8.
It’s more fun than you should have with your clothes on. (And we DEFINITELY suggest you keep your clothes on!)
Our Events
Marathon:
Like the movie, you’ll feel like you’re repeating the same day over and over. A beautiful, snowy (we hope), approximately 2.2 mile course. Splits every 1/12th of a marathon. 8:00 a.m. Saturday. 500 Runner limit combined for full and half marathons
Half Marathon:
For those of you who couldn’t stay awake through the whole movie. Only six times around.
Moonlight 1/6 Marathon on Groundhog Eve:
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 1/6 MARATHON! Hey, we’re going to be set up anyway, no sense in just long-distance people having all the fun. Two loops of the course. 6:30 p.m. Friday. 300 Runner limit.
Course
Ever see the movie? The course will give you the opportunity to relive the same day several times. A total of 12 loops of approximately 2.18 miles on a CERTIFIED course (Yes! You can qualify for Boston!) will have you feeling just a little case of deja vu. Aid stations at 1 mile plus the finish line area. Don’t plan on the course being free of snow. It’s paved, which means no underlying rocks and roots, but that’s about all we’re promising.
Swag - Every participant will get an awesome hoodie, finisher medal. Whole and Half-Hog get a stocking cap as well.
Training Partner - And our Official Training Program for Groundhog
RunGR is our largest local running club and has multiple coaches, who provide training programs for all of our races. With a club of more than 300 runners, the club provides a great opportunity to not only get a coaching plan, but also do your training with a large group of local athletes. RunGR will be offering a training plan, specific to Groundhog distances, as well as a prorated membership, known as their FAST program, so you can try out the club for 20 weeks. https://rungr.com/
For our Offical Training Program, CLICK
Hotels & Travel.
Our airport is GRR. Look for hotels HERE
Contacts:
(Note--if you write with a question that's very plainly stated on the page, the email may get a low priority)
Race Director: Don Kern donkern1@gmail.com 616 293 3145
Associate Race Director: TJ Suchocki info@fastbooth.com 616 406 9772
Volunteer Coordinator: Stephanie Cornwell, happy.steph.1976@gmail.com
Mailing Address: 1170 Oakburn Ave SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Road Running , Walk
Distance:
Half-marathon , Marathon , 5 to 10K
Price:
from $57
Organized since 2016
Short review
The modified course for 2024 was pretty popular. We've certified the new course, so we'll be starting behind the pavilion this year again. Looking forward to seeing you in 2025!
We’ve all heard of Punxsutawney Phil, the little furry guy in Pennsylvania who comes out, sees his shadow, and declares six more weeks of winter. Then there’s Augustus T. Groundhog, better known as Grand Rapids Gus. He’s Phil’s much more interesting cousin. Unlike Phil, who it seems can only see shadows, Gus has much better eyesight and can look at a calendar on February 2 and know that spring doesn’t start for six weeks. Gus suggested that instead of lamenting over six more weeks of winter, we should EMBRACE the cold and snow and do something fun. And so, the Groundhog Day Marathon was born.
EARLY START--If you're planning to be running more than about 6 hours, please start at the 7:00 am early start. The normal start is at 8:00 am
The Basics
It’s a winter running event, outside Grand Rapids Michigan. YES! THERE WILL PROBABLY BE LOTS OF SNOW ON THE COURSE.
The Friday and Saturday beginning of February. In 2025, it's February 7-8.
It’s more fun than you should have with your clothes on. (And we DEFINITELY suggest you keep your clothes on!)
Our Events
Marathon:
Like the movie, you’ll feel like you’re repeating the same day over and over. A beautiful, snowy (we hope), approximately 2.2 mile course. Splits every 1/12th of a marathon. 8:00 a.m. Saturday. 500 Runner limit combined for full and half marathons
Half Marathon:
For those of you who couldn’t stay awake through the whole movie. Only six times around.
Moonlight 1/6 Marathon on Groundhog Eve:
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 1/6 MARATHON! Hey, we’re going to be set up anyway, no sense in just long-distance people having all the fun. Two loops of the course. 6:30 p.m. Friday. 300 Runner limit.
Course
Ever see the movie? The course will give you the opportunity to relive the same day several times. A total of 12 loops of approximately 2.18 miles on a CERTIFIED course (Yes! You can qualify for Boston!) will have you feeling just a little case of deja vu. Aid stations at 1 mile plus the finish line area. Don’t plan on the course being free of snow. It’s paved, which means no underlying rocks and roots, but that’s about all we’re promising.
Swag - Every participant will get an awesome hoodie, finisher medal. Whole and Half-Hog get a stocking cap as well.
Training Partner - And our Official Training Program for Groundhog
RunGR is our largest local running club and has multiple coaches, who provide training programs for all of our races. With a club of more than 300 runners, the club provides a great opportunity to not only get a coaching plan, but also do your training with a large group of local athletes. RunGR will be offering a training plan, specific to Groundhog distances, as well as a prorated membership, known as their FAST program, so you can try out the club for 20 weeks. https://rungr.com/
For our Offical Training Program, CLICK
Hotels & Travel.
Our airport is GRR. Look for hotels HERE
Contacts:
(Note--if you write with a question that's very plainly stated on the page, the email may get a low priority)
Race Director: Don Kern donkern1@gmail.com 616 293 3145
Associate Race Director: TJ Suchocki info@fastbooth.com 616 406 9772
Volunteer Coordinator: Stephanie Cornwell, happy.steph.1976@gmail.com
Mailing Address: 1170 Oakburn Ave SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546
February 02, 2019
The race starts at 08:0042 km
from $103
February 01, 2019
The race starts at 18:3042 km
from $128
February 01, 2020
The race starts at 08:0042 km
from $107
January 31, 2020
The race starts at 18:3042 km
from $135
February 06, 2021
The race starts at 08:0042 km
from $107
February 05, 2021
The race starts at 18:3042 km
from $135
February 05, 2022
The race starts at 08:0042 km
from $107
February 04, 2022
The race starts at 18:3042 km
from $135
February 08, 2025
The race starts at 08:0042 km
from $114
February 07, 2025
The race starts at 18:3042 km
from $142
February 02, 2019
The race starts at 08:0021 km
from $93
February 01, 2019
The race starts at 18:3021 km
from $128
February 01, 2020
The race starts at 08:0021 km
from $97
January 31, 2020
The race starts at 18:3021 km
from $125
February 06, 2021
The race starts at 08:0021 km
from $97
February 05, 2021
The race starts at 18:3021 km
from $125
February 05, 2022
The race starts at 08:0021 km
from $97
February 04, 2022
The race starts at 18:3021 km
from $125
February 08, 2025
The race starts at 08:0021 km
from $104
February 07, 2025
The race starts at 18:3021 km
from $132
February 01, 2019
The race starts at 18:307 km
from $57
January 31, 2020
The race starts at 18:307 km
from $62
February 05, 2021
The race starts at 18:307 km
from $62
February 04, 2022
The race starts at 18:307 km
from $62
February 07, 2025
The race starts at 18:307 km
from $74
Weather for Feb 07, 2025
°F
Wind: m/s.
.
Very Good for running
Past weather
Feb 02, 2013
°F, wind m/s
.
Feb 02, 2014
10.37 °F, wind 3.21m/s
Mostly cloudy until afternoon..
Feb 01, 2015
23.79 °F, wind 5.37m/s
Overcast in the morning..
Feb 05, 2016
21.38 °F, wind 2.83m/s
Mostly cloudy throughout the day..
Feb 03, 2017
8.68 °F, wind 5.97m/s
Clear throughout the day..
Feb 02, 2018
0.71 °F, wind 7.35m/s
Mostly cloudy in the morning..
Feb 01, 2019
-2.87 °F, wind 4.68m/s
Partly cloudy throughout the day..
Jan 31, 2020
17.5 °F, wind 1.96m/s
Partly cloudy throughout the day..
Feb 05, 2021
19.54 °F, wind 6.56m/s
Partly cloudy throughout the day..
Feb 04, 2022
19.25 °F, wind 6.55m/s
Partly cloudy throughout the day..
Feb 03, 2023
11.65 °F, wind 11.81m/s
Partly cloudy throughout the day..
Feb 02, 2024
°F, wind m/s
.
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